How to add SSH key to PuTTY Agent at startup in Windows Server

puttyssh-agentwindows-server-2003windows-server-2008windows-service

I need to add a private SSH key to Putty Agent (pagent.exe) every time a Windows server starts up — before a user logs on interactively. The key is to be used by a service.

If it was a regular user that needed to use the key, I would just place a shortcut in the Startup folder, however, this does not work on a server, because no user logs in.

I need this on Windows Server 2008 as well as Windows Server 2003.

I figure this must be a pretty common use case as public key authentication with SSH and SFTP becomes more widespread.

Best Answer

You can provide a path to the key on the Target command line in the shortcut

  • Create a shortcut to put in startup.
  • Right click -> properties

  • Modify the Target: section to add the key

    C:\Program Files\putty\pageant.exe C:\Program Files\putty\keys\iain.ppk

When your system starts pageant will load the key and if it requires a pass phrase to unlock it it will ask for it.

You can add multiple keys on the pageant command line too e.g.

C:\Program Files\putty\pageant.exe C:\keys\iain.ppk c:\keys\user1.ppk
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